Monaco mourns the sudden passing of Minister of State Didier Guillaume at 65

17/01/2025

Monaco’s Minister of State Didier Guillaume has passed away suddenly at the age of 65, just four months after assuming office.

Didier Guillaume, who began his role as head of Monaco’s government on 2nd September 2024, was hospitalised on 10th January for an undisclosed medical condition. In a statement released late on Friday 17th January, the Prince’s Palace confirmed the tragic news, saying:

“H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince is deeply saddened to announce the death of H.E. Mr. Didier Guillaume, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, following a sudden illness that occurred during his hospitalisation. He presents his most sincere condolences to his wife, Mrs. Béatrice Frecenon-Guillaume, to his children, to his brother, as well as to his entire family and loved ones.”

The Prince paid tribute to Guillaume’s service to the Principality, stating: “The Prince wishes to commend the remarkable commitment of Didier Guillaume to the service of the Principality since he took office, a period during which he demonstrated all his determination and know-how in order to make concrete progress on subjects essential for the future of Monaco, both nationally and internationally. His human qualities were also greatly appreciated.”

The Palace confirmed that Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, will continue to serve as interim Minister of State alongside her current responsibilities.

The Government also expressed its sorrow and admiration for Didier Guillaume in an official statement, saying “The members of the government and all administration personnel wish to extend their sincere and heartfelt condolences to his wife and family.

“Everyone will remember his exceptional work ethic, his passion for politics aimed at improving the lives of women and men, and his spirit of unity and engagement. Beyond being a statesman serving the Sovereign Prince, his immense human qualities quickly earned him the admiration of Monaco.”

A national day of mourning

To honour Didier Guillaume, Prince Albert II has decreed a day of national mourning in the Principality of Monaco, coinciding with his funeral, which will be held at the Cathedral of Monaco on Thursday 23rd January at 11am.

Flags will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings from Saturday 18th January until the conclusion of the funeral. A minute of silence will also be observed on Monday 20th January at 11am, announced by a siren as an invitation for all residents to pay their respects. A chapel of rest will be installed at the Chapel of Mercy (Place de la Mairie), where the public can offer condolences and pay tribute from Monday 20th January to Wednesday 22nd January, between 10am and 5pm.

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Photo source: Government Communication Department

Monte-Carlo Crèche reopens after extensive renovation

by: Cassandra Tanti

17/01/2025

The Monte-Carlo Crèche has reopened its doors, welcoming children aged three months to three years and their families back to the modernised facility on Avenue Saint-Charles. After six months of extensive work, the nursery is ready to resume its role as one of Monaco’s most cherished childcare institutions.

Originally built in 1992, the Monte-Carlo Crèche is one of the town council’s two early childhood care centers. In recent months, the site underwent a complete transformation to align with contemporary standards of comfort, safety and accessibility that reflect the crèche’s status as a pillar of support and early development. Managed by the municipal council, the facility now boasts a capacity of 36 places.

François Lallemand, 5th Deputy Mayor and an architect by profession, oversaw the redevelopment in collaboration with Monegasque architect Franck Bourgery. The comprehensive refurbishment covered the entire 535sqm building, encompassing its ground and first floors.

Upgrades for a better future

The renovation addressed multiple aspects, including modernised heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as upgraded security and access control systems. The team also improved the site’s thermal and acoustic insulation, and ensured compliance with accessibility standards for people with reduced mobility.

External joinery was also replaced, spaces were reconfigured for better flow and functionality, and activity rooms were better connected to promote movement and interaction among children.

“We wanted to preserve the sense of openness by maintaining visible areas, such as the changing stations, while also creating new pathways between activity rooms,” Lallemand explains.

Environmental considerations

Sustainability was a priority throughout the project. Apave, the waste recycling partner, facilitated the redistribution of recyclable materials to nearby municipalities, like Beausoleil and Antibes, and private individuals. Despite challenges such as dealing with an old “Spanish screed” cement floor, which required adjustments to the original €1.2 million budget, the project was successfully completed within an updated budget of €1.4 million.

A welcome return for families

The reopening on Thursday 16th January marks the end of a temporary relocation period, during which the crèche’s 32 children were cared for at neighboring facilities, including the Larvotto early learning center and an annex of the Monte-Carlo Crèche.

This latest development adds to Monaco’s network of 13 municipal childcare facilities, staffed by 186 professionals, including the 65-place Île aux Bambins and the 50-place Testimonio II.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Monaco Business Circle: a new leadership-focused forum for top-tier executives

by: Stephanie Horsman

17/01/2025

A new and exclusive club for senior business leaders in the Principality has been launched by two local professionals, Gavin Sharpe and Irene Luke. The Monaco Business Circle, an invitation-only forum, aims to help members navigate today’s fast-changing business landscape by offering ways to improve performance and promote leadership development.

Launched in partnership with Savills Monaco and the Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco (CREM), the Monaco Business Circle will host regular breakfast gatherings at CREM’s headquarters every six to eight weeks. These events will centre around talks by Gavin Sharpe, a renowned leadership coach and counsellor, who will share insights from his acclaimed CEO programme, The Path to Success.

Each session will provide members with practical tools to enhance their leadership skills and personal lives, alongside opportunities to network with like-minded professionals.

Topics for 2025 include building a strong leadership brand, fostering emotionally intelligent workplaces, managing imposter syndrome and avoiding executive burnout.

The Monaco Business Circle is the brainchild of Sharpe and Irene Luke, the latter of whom has been a driving force at Savills since 2011. With a legal career that began in London and Monaco, Luke later transitioned to real estate, leveraging her expertise to bolster Savills’ presence in the Principality.

Sharpe, meanwhile, brings nearly 30 years of experience advising global corporates, law firms and senior executives on performance, leadership and strategy.

The inaugural Monaco Business Circle event will take place on 22nd January from 8.30am to 10am at CREM’s venue on Avenue Princesse Grace. Attendees are encouraged to make a €25 donation to Child Care Monaco to secure a spot.

For more information on the Monaco Business Circle and their upcoming events, click here.

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Photo source: RivieraWellbeing.com

Ferrari F355 GTS once owned by F1’s Michael Schumacher going up for auction

by: Stephanie Horsman

17/01/2025

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits car enthusiasts and Formula 1 fans next month as a 1996 Ferrari F355 GTS, formerly owned by racing legend Michael Schumacher, goes up for auction at Sotheby’s Auction House. Bidding opens on 4th February, and the car will be offered without reserve, making this a rare chance to own an exceptional vehicle with storied provenance.

The 1996 Ferrari F355 GTS is going up for sale after over two decades of ownership by a dedicated enthusiast. The news of its auction has garnered significant attention in the automotive world, with subsequent features in renowned publications such as Forza, Ferrari World and Auto Trends, all highlighting its connection to seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.

Finished in a striking Blu Le Mans exterior paired with a Pelle Crema leather interior, the F355 GTS is both elegant and distinctive. It was Ferrari Classiche Certified in 2020: confirmation of its authenticity and historical significance.

Accompanying the vehicle are its original manuals and service book, documenting its delivery to Weber Management GmbH. Meanwhile, a letter from Cavallari Monaco Motors verifies Schumacher’s ownership, and photographs show the legendary driver behind the wheel. Adding to its allure, Schumacher signed the back of the driver’s seat, making it a truly personal collector’s item.

Racing history

By the mid-1990s, Schumacher was already celebrated as one of Formula 1’s greatest-ever talents. After securing back-to-back championships with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Schumacher made the pivotal move to Ferrari in 1996. As a welcome gift, Ferrari presented him with this very F355 GTS, likely the first road car he used during his tenure with the Scuderia Ferrari team.

The F355 GTS, introduced in 1995, was Ferrari’s latest marvel, perfectly suited for its newest star driver. The car features a traditional six-speed manual gearbox, a deliberate choice by the racing legend to provide a driving experience starkly different from the high-performance, automated cars he piloted on track.

In 2004, this remarkable F355 GTS was sold during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, where its Schumacher connection made it a standout attraction. The current owner, believed to be the car’s third, acquired it at that auction and has cherished it ever since.

Meticulously cared for, the car’s history includes a service by Monaco Motors in 1997 while under Schumacher’s ownership. Its legacy is further documented by correspondence confirming its use by the champion driver during his early Ferrari years.

For more information on the car and to register to bid, click here.

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Photo via Sotheby’s

Henry Rey, a pillar of Monaco’s sporting community, dies

by: Niki Borisova

17/01/2025

Henry Rey, a key figure in the history of sport in Monaco, has passed away at 85. He leaves behind a legacy of developing and promoting sport initiatives in the Principality, as well as shaping Monaco’s international reputation in the sporting world.

Rey died on Monday 13th January 2025, prompting an outpouring of tributes from leading institutions, officials and private individuals in Monaco.

Rey’s contributions to sport in Monaco were extensive. He devoted nearly five decades to advancing athletics and Olympic values in the Principality. He served as President of the Monaco Olympic Committee for almost 20 years and was closely involved with AS Monaco football, presiding over the team from 1970 to 1972. He also led the Monte-Carlo Golf Club and oversaw significant improvements to its facilities.

Rey played a key role in organising numerous local and international sporting events, including Monaco’s debut in the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo in 1984 and the hosting of the 1987 Games of the Small States of Europe. He was also active in federations and associations for sports as diverse as volleyball and weightlifting.

A law graduate from Georgetown University, Rey served as a National Councillor in Monaco for 40 years (1968 to 2008). His commitment to sport extended to shaping policies and frameworks that continue to influence life in the Principality.

Following Rey’s passing, Mayor of Monaco Georges Marsan and the Communal Council paid tribute to him. A joint statement described him as “a kind and dedicated man, deeply committed to Monegasque values and to serving the Principality”.

Marsan and the Council extended their “sincere condolences to his family and loved ones”, echoing similar sentiments and tributes from the National Council and Monaco Government.

His funeral is expected to be held on Friday 17th January 2025.

Photo credit: Jean-Charles Vinaj / Comité Olympique Monégasque

Day: 17 January 2025